Her real name was Cherry but her cousins and friends told her the name did not fit her because she had a big-sized head. So they christened her Apple and that name stuck until today.

But when it comes to her vocal prowess, Apple Chiu is one performer who should be taken seriously especially now that she has recently released her self-titled debut album under PolyEast Records.

Though long overdue, Apple’s album contains a variety of OPMs from classic hits to originals that would showcase her versatility. Some of the OPM remakes are “Hindi Magbabago” popularized by Randy Santiago, “Paano Ba Ang Mangarap,” by Basil Valdez, “Sa Aking Puso” by Ariel Rivera and an Ogie Alcasid hit “Dito Sa Puso Ko.”

The two original songs in her album are “Paano Ba Ang Umibig” and “Ikaw Ang Kailangan” by her good friend Miguel Mendoza, a former scholar from “Pinoy Dream Academy.” There’s also a minus one and acoustic version of “Ikaw Ang Kailangan” and a minus one of “Paano Ba Ang Umibig.”

The 25-year-old recording artist still couldn’t believe that her hard work has finally paid good dividends with the release of her self-titled album.

“I used to do concerts since I was a kid inside the bathroom only. I was probably hoping then that I would have a major concert outside of my bathroom,” she laughed. “I started singing in school when I was in Grade 3 and I even became the Most Promising Singing of the Center for Pop Music Interschool Competition when I was in high school. Then I became the 1st runner-up in the ‘Musika: Kenny Rogers Music Competition.’ And my last major competition was in ‘Philippine Idol’ where I placed 7th!”

Though she lost in “Philippine Idol,” her talent didn’t go unrecognized as she was hired by ABS-CBN’s “Singing Bee” and became a regular member of The Songbees. (She is actually the longest regular member of The Songbees.) This inspired her to pursue more her singing career.

“‘Philippine Idol’ was really stressful. When I joined it, I experienced sickness that I never experienced before because of the stress,” she recalled. “But ‘Singing Bee’ is the opposite. It’s not even like work because we are all enjoying the show. It’s a fun experience for me. And it opened a lot of doors for me. I think if not for ‘Singing Bee,’ I won’t have the guts to cut an album!”

With regards to her musical influences, Apple points to the likes of Lani Misalucha and Barbra Streisand. She also grew up listening to Jazz, Standards, R&B, Classical and Rock. But the key for her to becoming a superb performer is versatility.

“For me a real artist is open to all genres. That’s how one can hone his or her versatility. That’s the key to going beyond on what you can do as an artist and what you can offer your listeners or fans,” she exclaimed.

Aside from singing, Apple still dabbles in interior designing. If there’s one thing she is always interested in, it is art, and interior designing is one way for her to express her artistry.

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Celebrated Canadian Immigration lawyer to visit
   
First it was Michael Gurfinkel helping movie stars acquire “extraordinary ability visas.” Then came Jemela Nettles acquiring a wide clientele in the music industry. Now, a renowned lawyer from Canada takes her bow as the latest immigration specialist catering to Filipino applicants hoping to fast-track their applications.

Renowned immigration attorney Stacey Belding, currently Managing Director of Canada Immigration Group and a member of the Philippine consular services team in Winnipeg, will visit the country in October to speak about the wealth of opportunities available to Filipinos under the numerous immigration programs offered by the Canadian government. Apart from providing free assessment of eligibility, Belding will also discuss Canada’s temporary worker program, giving tips as to how best to avoid unscrupulous recruiters.

As senior partner in the top-notch legal team of Carroll, Fisher and Belding, she provides Canadian immigration services to clients all over the world; handling federal and provincial nominee applications under skilled worker, family-class sponsorship, temporary resident (worker/student/visitor), and business/investor classes, and other Canadian immigration applications.

Belding is also a principal of the business immigration program buyCan, which offers a comprehensive service to individuals wishing to purchase a business opportunity in Canada for immigration purposes. She also served as the Managing Director of jobCan inc., an international recruiter for Canadian businesses, and now writes regular columns for Ang Peryodiko and Weekly Aajkal newspapers, while being featured regularly in Canadian media.   

Among well-known Fil-Canadians are Ariel Rivera, Joey Albert, Ray-An Fuentes, Nancy Castiglione, Daphne Oseña-Paez, Patricia Bermudez, Bong Chavez, and top-ranked pool player Alex Pagulayan.

Belding is scheduled to conduct a series of seminars at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Cebu, and other areas beginning Oct. 13. Those interested in attending Stacey Belding’s free by-invitation-only seminars in the Philippines may download assessment forms from www.canadaimmigrationblog.com and e-mail these to canadaimmigrationgroup@yahoo.ca.

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Bulilit is now a Moose Girl

From the pigeonhole:

It is not everyday that you get to see a TV commercial so cute and interesting that it sticks in your head that you can’t get enough of it. This is exactly how the adorable little girl Thrisha Luise Cañete (a.k.a. Cha-Cha) entered the consciousness of the Filipino.

The famous “Bulilit” charmed us all with her cute, innocent and funny antics. Today, Cha-cha is now a model, as a Moose Girl who proudly saunters in uniquely stylish apparel, alongside other child stars Sharlene San Pedro and Mica dela Cruz. All these Moose Girls are seen on “Goin’ Bulilit” over ABS-CBN.

Only four years old, Cha-Cha already fairly knows how to speak her mind in a funny and witty fashion. Even director Erik Matti couldn’t help but be drawn to Cha the first time he encountered her by chance at a coffee shop.

Previously, Cha-Cha had appeared in infomercials and a show called “Five and a Half” on Studio 23.

Moose Girl has always been fond of Cha-Cha, since her “Five and a Half” days. “That’s why even when there have been other offers of clothing endorsement after the ‘Bulilit’ ad came out, Moose Girl has been our first choice. Plus the fact that Cha is very much fond of the colorful, comfy, classic and age-appropriate style of their clothes. Cha loves colors pink and violet on her,” said her aunt Nancy Cañete.

As of the moment Cha has been given some projects like the Vilma Santos starrer “In My Life,” and “Wapakman,” with boxing champ Manny Pacquiao. She is also on “Kiddie Kuwela” over TV5.

Cha-Cha is one busy kid with a very active lifestyle. She herself prefers clothes that are lightweight and comfortable for playtime, just like how Moose Girl is to her. Moose Girl is exclusively distributed at SM department stores.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Sept. 22 go to Mrs. Baby Liban, Violy Sevilla, Bong de Leon, Nene Leonor of Burger Express, Marg Hubilla-Ordiales, Jinia Samad, Rashid Mathew Dayot, Elizabeth Cristobal, Julihan Ladub, Michelle Tan, Cristina Tanyao, FILSCAP director Emmie Domingo, Dolly Anne Carvajal and Caroline Riggs of Star Magic.